Soda and energy drinks are linked to higher anxiety in one group, researchers say
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Excess sugary drinks can directly lead to a higher risk of anxiety among teenagers, new research shows.
In a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, UK researchers reviewed various studies from 2000 to 2025.
They examined the link between drinking sugary drinks – such as sodas, energy drinks, sugary juices, tea and coffee – and anxiety disorders in young people between the ages of 10 and 19.
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Teenagers who drank the most sugary drinks were found to have a 34% greater risk of developing anxiety disorders compared to those who drank less.
Seven of the nine studies analyzed by the researchers showed a significant correlation between drinking sugary drinks and anxiety symptoms.
Teenagers who drank a lot of sugary drinks were found to have a 34% higher chance of developing an anxiety disorder. (Stock)
“With increasing concern about youth eating, many public health efforts have emphasized the physical consequences of unhealthy eating habits, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes,” study co-author Dr. Chloe Casey, a nutrition lecturer at Bournemouth University in the UK, commented in a press release.
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“However, the mental health effects of food have been comparatively understudied, especially for energy-dense but non-nutritious drinks.”
The study was based on observational data, which does not show that drinking sugary drinks directly causes anxiety. There is also no clear indication that sugary drinks cause anxiety or that anxious teenagers are more likely to drink them.
Research doesn’t confirm exact cause, but it does show a strong correlation between sugary drinks and anxiety. (Stock)
“Although we cannot confirm at this time what the exact cause is, this study has identified an unhealthy connection between drinking sugary drinks and anxiety disorders in young people,” said Casey.
“Anxiety problems in youth have increased significantly in recent years, so it is important to identify lifestyle habits that can be changed to reduce the risk of this trend continuing.”
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About 11% of American children between the ages of 3 and 17 will be diagnosed with anxiety between 2022 and 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The organization’s website says: “Anxiety problems, behavioral disorders and depression are the most common mental illnesses in children.
About 11% of American children between the ages of 3 and 17 have experienced anxiety, according to CDC data. (Stock)
“While it’s important to note that this study is correlation, not causation, I have no doubt that a better-designed study would show similar results,” Los Angeles-based registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein told Fox News Digital.
“Soda, aka sugar — which has no fiber, protein or fat so it’s easy to drink — floods the bloodstream faster than any other type of food or drink,” said Muhlstein, who was not involved in the study.
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“The pancreas goes into overdrive to respond, insulin goes up, blood sugar goes up and you’re left in a dopamine-deficient state that looks and feels like anxiety,” he continued. “The sharper the spike, the deeper the crash.”
In his work, Muhlstein found that teenagers are consuming less sodas and oat milk lattes, coffee drinks “loaded” with syrup, slushies and sports drinks.
Sugary drinks are “liquid candy” for the body, says a registered dietitian. (Stock)
High blood sugar can also affect weight, acne, sleep quality and emotional regulation, he shares, regardless of caffeine levels.
“What these kids drink makes a big difference in their physical and emotional state, and caffeine on top of unstable blood sugar makes it worse,” warns Muhlstein.
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Serena Poon, a certified nutritionist, longtime practitioner and founder of Wholistic Lifestyle Medicine in Los Angeles, noted that food and drink are “more than just fuel.”
“They provide information to the body and mind,” the expert, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital. “What young people drink regularly can affect energy levels, emotional stability and even the way the nervous system responds to stress.”
One expert advises parents to encourage more balance in their children’s diet and lifestyle. (Stock)
“Drinks with a lot of sugar can create a quick high of energy followed by a crash, and when caffeine is added to the mix, it can increase the body’s stress responses.”
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Poon advised parents to encourage their children to reduce the frequency of sugary drinks and stay full of water, herbal teas or sparkling water to support stable energy levels.
Meals should also be balanced with fiber, healthy fats and protein to stabilize blood sugar, which can affect mood and concentration.
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“Adolescence is an important window for brain development, so supporting teens with good nutrition, healthy energy levels and adequate hydration can help support both physical and emotional well-being,” added Poon.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the American Beverage Association and Bournemouth University for comment.
